The latest satellite imagery suggests that North Korea is gearing up for a military parade, as hundreds of troop transport trucks have been spotted gathering at a training site located on the eastern outskirts of Pyongyang.
Why It’s Important
The Mirim training base is noteworthy as it replicates the famous Kim Il Sung Square—the central plaza in Pyongyang where North Korea typically showcases its military prowess during significant events. This includes the unveiling of advanced weaponry like intercontinental ballistic missiles that made an appearance during the parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on October 10.
The ongoing missile development and testing by Kim Jong Un, along with the nuclear weapons program, continues to stir tension especially with South Korea, which is allied with the U.S. Kim defends both initiatives, labeling them essential for deterrence amid perceived provocations—especially regarding military exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces.
Key Insights
Satellite photos from the European Space Agency, analyzed by Newsweek, reveal troop transport trucks returning to the training grounds as of November 5. The early presence of these trucks suggests that preparations for a parade might already be in motion, particularly after the upcoming Party Congress. These Congress events are significant gatherings where party leaders set key five-year economic and military strategies.
Interestingly, these troop trucks started appearing by the second week of June, ahead of the significant anniversary parade in October. In contrast, for the previous Party Congress back in January 2021, the vehicles showed up only weeks prior. NK News speculates that this early troop presence could indicate a more significant or better-coordinated parade, even if the North Korean regime hasn’t officially announced another celebration.
Reactions and Perspectives
Rachel Minyoung Lee, a senior expert from the Stimson Center, shared her insights on the expected labor mobilization ahead of the Ninth Party Congress. Historically, North Korea has prefaced such events with extensive mobilization campaigns to enhance economic performance and create a positive atmosphere. Campaigns of similar nature were undertaken before the last two Party Congresses in 2016 and 2020.
During his address at the October 10 parade, Kim Jong Un stated: “Our military must evolve into an unbeatable force that neutralizes all threats through our supremacy in political, ideological, and military capabilities. Continuous strengthening and moral discipline are key to building a victory-oriented force.”
What’s Next?
While Pyongyang has not yet revealed the schedule for the Ninth People’s Congress, the event is anticipated to happen early next year.
